Purchase of a plow truck needs quick decision

Because time was short, Derek Braun, Cornell Utility/ City Works superintendent, asked for a City Works Committee meeting April 9, to discuss the purchase of a plow truck. Braun says problems have occurred with plow truck No. 6, and though the city continues to make repairs to the vehicle, it appears the only recourse is to drop the transmission.

“I can’t see the value of dropping the transmission and maybe not fixing the problem anyway,” said Braun. “It’s at a point, you stop sticking money in that truck, without a doubt.”

A chance recently came up to buy a 2007 International truck with a 12-foot plow, stainless steel sanding unit and wing, from Chippewa County, for $21,000 (what county would receive from River States in trade-in). Braun says the box is in good shape, as are the little things, but they would have to have a block heater put in and the truck has high miles.

Braun isn’t worried about the miles, as Cornell snow plowing would not add many to the truck in a year’s time, and the workers could adjust from the 11-foot plow the city currently uses. Braun said it is a logistics thing and they could manage storing the truck with the 12-foot plow in the city shop.

“I know that truck, it’s a good truck,” said committee member Bill Kvapil, adding that Chippewa County always takes good care of their trucks.

“It looks like it’s in awful good shape,” agreed council member Floyd Hickethier.

While Braun has looked at newer trucks from dealers and admired some seven-year-old trucks for $60,000-$65,000, it means spending half of what is available in the equipment fund, which has around $132,000 for use.

“I do know we have other needs coming up,” he said. “I think it’s the right move to take this to replace that 6. We can get enough years out of it, that we can set ourselves up for our next truck purchase in a little better setting.”

Braun also pointed out that Chippewa County’s facilities and fleet superintendent Paul Mohr, steered him toward this model, and said Cornell would not be interested in the next round of trade-ins for city use.

Terry Smith, committee chair, asked when Mohr needs a decision on their truck, to which Braun said that is needed immediately, as when the dealer shows up to collect the trade-ins, the county has to know to hold the truck back for Cornell.

If the purchase was approved, Braun said the last truck the city purchased from the county, would be taken off sanding runs, as it does not have a stainless steel unit and is not as efficient. Because the county does not remove snow and carry it elsewhere, that truck would need an air line lift gate installed, which would run about $2,000. The newer purchase would then be the new sanding truck.

“This one’s got the better sanding unit,” said Braun.

It won’t bring much, but if the city lists the No. 6 truck for sale, enough money may come in to pay for the air line. Hickethier said they also need to think of buying new pickups, as they are rusting and falling apart.

“We do need pickups, but this plow truck is definitely a priority,” said Braun.

The committee agreed that Braun should reserve the truck from the county and will bring the matter before the city council for approval at the next regular meeting. Braun agreed to do so and thanked the committee for meeting on short notice.

Committee member Steve Turany says he appreciated the work Braun did to prepare for the meeting, complimenting him on the variety of prices and models put together from several dealers.

“You did your homework,” said Turany.